September 05, 2025

Celebrating Local Changemakers: Nominate Your Community Heroes of 2025

This week, Arielle spotlights the return of our Local Changemakers Series! From food justice in Olympia to climate activism and dog rescue in Thailand, last year’s nominees inspired us with their creativity and compassion. Now we’re inviting you to nominate the people and projects making a difference in your own backyard.

Plus, every nomination enters you to win a cozy Optimist Daily mug! Tune in to hear inspiring stories from last year and learn how to share yours.

Click here to nominate your Local Changemaker of 2025.

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Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420674

The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.

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 PLAY   03:59 min

August 29, 2025

How Adults Can Capture Back-to-School Joy, and How Rocky Mountain National Park is Expanding Access

This week Arielle and Karissa are exploring solutions both personal and global—from Rocky Mountain National Park’s inspiring accessibility upgrades to playful ways adults can tap into back-to-school energy. They also take time for an I’m an Optimist, But… reflection on women’s safety, a reminder that optimism doesn’t ignore hard truths. Tune in for thoughtful stories, practical tips, and a big dose of hope.

Want to be part of the Optimism Movement? Become an Emissary.

Follow us on Instagram, X, and Blue Sky.

Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420650

The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.

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 PLAY   23:30 min

August 22, 2025

From mind-reading BCIs to ER-proof life tips: this week’s top 10 innovations

This week on the podcast, Arielle and Karissa explore surprising yet powerful solutions—from Stanford’s breakthrough brain-computer interface that decodes inner speech (complete with a mental privacy password!) to the top five preventable injuries that send people to the ER—yes, avocado hand is on the list. They also touch on a handful of other standout headlines from Optimist Daily, including conch-blowing sleep solutions, a historic gonorrhea vaccine rollout, and clever ways to save on groceries. Tune in for a smart, practical, and slightly mind-blowing roundup.

Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420598

The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.

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 PLAY   18:15 min

August 15, 2025

Hormone-free male birth control + one-minute wellness check-ins

This week, Arielle and Karissa explore two powerful shifts in health and wellness. First, they dive into YCT-529, a promising hormone-free male birth control pill that may finally bring more balance to reproductive responsibility. Then, they share a simple but impactful habit: a one-minute daily wellness check-in designed to increase self-awareness, reduce burnout, and help you focus with kindness.

Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420557

The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.

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 PLAY   18:38 min

August 08, 2025

Safer streets, smarter cities: protecting women, wildlife, and well-being

In this week’s episode of The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Round-up, Arielle and Karissa explore two powerful stories that spotlight how cities are becoming safer, smarter, and more inclusive for both people and animals. Arielle shares how Amsterdam is installing tiny wooden staircases along its iconic canals to help cats and wildlife escape safely— a small fix with a big heart. Karissa highlights a growing movement in German cities where subsidized night taxi vouchers are helping women get home safely after dark. Tune in for feel-good solutions that prove cities can evolve with compassion.

Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420519

The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   16:08 min

August 01, 2025

Turning tragedy into hope: Rebuilding after wildfires and the future of canine cancer research

In this episode, Karissa and Arielle explore two uplifting stories of transformation. First, they look at how Southern California communities are rebuilding sustainably after the Eaton Fire—repurposing concrete, steel, and trees into roads, buildings, and soil. Then, they dive into groundbreaking canine cancer research showing how dogs are helping scientists detect and treat cancer faster—for both pets and people. Learn how our furry companions are becoming environmental sentinels and how shared biology could unlock longer, healthier lives for us all.

Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420468

The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   23:13 min

July 25, 2025

From clutter to connection: The screen-free movement and the magic of Poppins

In this episode of The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Round-up, Arielle and Karissa explore two uplifting solutions that challenge overconsumption and digital overwhelm. First, they dive into the growing trend of screen-free living among younger generations, highlighting how a quiet rebellion is reshaping our relationship with technology. Then they spotlight Poppins, a joyful French app inspired by Mary Poppins’ magical carpet bag, designed to help neighbors borrow instead of buy everyday items. From raclette machines to baby cots, this circular sharing model is saving money, reducing waste, and sparking real-life community connections. Tune in to discover how technology can help us simplify, reconnect, and live more sustainably.

Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420440

The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   21:22 min

July 18, 2025

From pinecones to predators: wildfire tech and the misunderstood vulture

This week on The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Round-up, Karissa and Arielle explore two unexpected environmental heroes: a pinecone-inspired wildfire sensor called Pyri, and the misunderstood but essential role of vultures in ecosystem health. Discover how design students in London are helping prevent devastating fires with biodegradable tech and how Bulgaria’s ambitious rewilding project is reviving Europe’s rarest vulture species. From the power of biomimicry to the hidden brilliance of “ugly” animals, this episode is a love letter to nature’s resilience and innovation.

Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420399

The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   17:29 min

July 11, 2025

Support for Texas flood relief and emotional recovery after disaster

In this special episode of The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Roundup, Arielle and Karissa discuss the devastating Texas floods and how to respond with both compassion and care. They walk through trusted ways you can contribute to flood relief efforts and also share practical mental health strategies for navigating collective grief—a response many of us feel when tragedy strikes close to home.

💡Featured articles:

• How to cope with collective grief when tragedy strikes close to home

• How to help Texas flood victims as the death toll rises

📍Resources to support Texas flood relief:

• American Red Cross – Emergency shelters and aid (or call 1-800-HELP-NOW)

• The Salvation Army – Mobile kitchens, supplies, and volunteers

• Kerrville Kroc Center – Local donation drop-off point

• Kerr County Flood Relief Fund – Regional relief via Community Foundation of the Texas Hill Country

• Austin Pets Alive! – Animal rescue, fostering, and vet care

• World Central Kitchen – Hot meals for survivors and first responders

• TEXSAR – Texas Search and Rescue – Recovery operations and emergency response

• Verified GoFundMe Campaigns – Support individuals and families directly

Whether you’re donating, spreading the word, or just taking a mindful breath—every action counts. ❤️

Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420363

The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   10:08 min

June 27, 2025

Effective allyship in action + Belgian seniors hit the club in joyful resistance

In this week’s episode of The Optimist Daily’s Weekly Round-up, Arielle and Karissa revisit Part II of our popular 2020 series on allyship—this time diving into what effective allyship really looks like in practice. If you missed Part I on performative allyship, you can read it here!

They explore actionable ways to show up for marginalized communities with intention and consistency whether that means unlearning internal biases, financially supporting underrepresented creators, or stepping back to let others lead.

Then, the conversation shifts to a solution that proves joy knows no age limit: Belgium’s Papy Booom nonprofit is helping seniors fight loneliness with unforgettable nightclub outings.

Transcript link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/?p=1420308

The Optimist Daily is a project of the World Business Academy.

Donate link: https://www.optimistdaily.com/donate-to-support-the-optimist-daily/?gift=Y%20http://

 PLAY   18:07 min